By Kim Rogers
Today, I’m excited to welcome Kevin Noble Maillard to Cynsations. Kevin is a professor of law at Syracuse University, a journalist, and a member of the Seminole Nation. His debut picture book Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story is illustrated by Pura Belpré-award winner and Caldecott Honor-recipient Juana Martinez-Neal (Roaring Brook/Macmillan,
Continue Reading Native Voices: Kevin Noble Maillard on Writing Fry Bread »
Both Nikki Barhtelmess, author of The Quiet You Carry (Flux, 2019) and Laura Sibson, author of The Art of Breaking Things (Viking, 2019), revisited personal memories to write authentic stories of teens.
Nikki Barthelmess
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
I’m thrilled to introduce two debut authors to the Cynsations audience today. I met both at Vermont College of Fine Arts several years ago while we were all working on MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Both write middle grade, but their books are very different, illustrating the depth and diversity that exists in children’s literature.
Continue Reading New Voices: Meredith Davis & Nicole Valentine On Being An Author »
By Traci Sorell
Picture book authors Beth Anderson and Tina Cho‘s debut books both explore actual events and both authors agree, craft study and critique groups are vital components on the path to publication.
Beth Anderson
Beth Anderson and I share a love of nonfiction.
Continue Reading New Voices: Beth Anderson & Tina Cho on Bringing True Stories to the Page »
By Traci Sorell
I adore picture book poetry anthologies. The variety of poems and artwork inspire me every time. Thanku: Poems of Gratitude (Millbrook Press, Sept. 3, 2019) marks the debut of artist Marlena Myles as a picture book illustrator. Edited by the award-winning author Miranda Paul,
Continue Reading Poetry Anthology Editor & Illustrator Interview: Miranda Paul & Marlena Myles »
By Diane Telgen
Fans of young-adult short stories may have noticed the anthology format making a comeback in recent years. But other outlets for original YA fiction, like magazines and websites, are few and far between—especially if they pay their writers. The options can be even more limited for new voices trying to break into the market.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Diane Telgen on Stories of Foreshadow: A Serial YA Anthology »
Inspirational HS relationship.
The fourth in a series of four posts celebrating the Oct. 9 release of my realistic contemporary YA novel, Hearts Unbroken (Candlewick). Spoiler alert.
Let’s talk about teen love, romance, passion!
Which of course means talking about awkwardness,
Writing is rewriting.
The third in a series of four posts celebrating the Oct. 9 release of my realistic contemporary YA novel, Hearts Unbroken (Candlewick).
We’re all the heroes of our own stories.
The same is true of our fictional friends and foes.
Continue Reading Hearts Unbroken: Writing Well-Rounded Secondary Characters »
Learn more about Cynthia Leitich Smith.
The second in a series of four posts celebrating the Oct. 9 release of my realistic contemporary YA novel, Hearts Unbroken (Candlewick).
We’re all living in the past, present and future.
Perhaps that’s never so true as on the page.
Continue Reading Hearts Unbroken: Writing (Sort Of) Timeless Contemporary Realistic Fiction »
On our way out to a high school winter dance.
The first in a series of four posts celebrating the Oct. 9 release of my realistic contemporary YA novel, Hearts Unbroken (Candlewick).
My senior year of high school, “Back to the Future” was a hot new release,
Continue Reading Hearts Unbroken: Writing Stories “Loosely Inspired By” Your Real Life »
